NRL 2023: Adam Reynolds wants to re-sign with Brisbane Broncos to help end premiership drought
Broncos star Adam Reynolds has made a bold call on his NRL future, declaring he has one final burning ambition in rugby league before he hangs up the boots.
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Adam Reynolds has declared he is playing on for Brisbane in 2025 and spoke of his final burning ambition in rugby league – to break the Broncos’ 17-year premiership drought.
Brisbane’s inspirational skipper Reynolds confirmed he is in talks on a new deal in a huge coup for the Broncos ahead of Saturday night’s historic derby against the Dolphins at the Gabba.
The Broncos lured Reynolds from Redfern to Red Hill on a three-year, $2.4 million deal and the veteran playmaker was widely expected to retire when his current Brisbane contract expires at the end of 2024.
But Reynolds has been such a revelation at Brisbane and his body has held up so well that the 32-year-old is keen to sign a 12-month extension to continue the Broncos’ revival as a title force.
Reynolds plays his 267th NRL game on Saturday night before a 42,000-sellout at the Gabba and a new deal will see him call the shots in the Broncos’ No.7 jumper beyond his 35th birthday.
“I’ve still got another year left and hopefully another one or two after that,” said Reynolds, who turns 33 on Monday week.
“I am in no rush, but it (a contract extension) is something I would love to get sorted.
“I love the city, I love the club.
“The Broncos are in a good place at the moment and I want to continue that rise.
“It would be nice to play on (in 2025), but there’s a bigger picture to be painted and that’s our performance on the weekend against the Dolphins.”
Reynolds will be part of another slice of history on Saturday night when he leads the Broncos onto the Gabba for rugby league’s first game at the iconic ground in 67 years.
A predominantly cricket and AFL venue, the Gabba has not hosted a top flight rugby league match since a 1956 Test between Australia and New Zealand and has never witnessed an NRL fixture.
That will change on Saturday night and Reynolds is hoping to use the second instalment of the Battle of Brisbane as a springboard to the Broncos launching a late-season charge to take out this year’s title.
Reynolds was the halfback that broke South Sydney’s 43-year premiership drought in the 2014 grand final and the talismanic skipper wants to orchestrate Brisbane’s first title since 2006 before he retires.
“It would be great (to win a premiership with the Broncos),” he said.
“You look at the history on the walls and look at the people still involved in the club … the coach (Kevin Walters), ‘Alfie’ (halfback legend Allan Langer), Darius Boyd (former Broncos skipper) is still there (as an assistant coach).
“There’s a number of ex-legends still getting around and it holds an aura amongst the place.
“To add another piece of history to the Broncos would be one of the best goals of my career.”
Reynolds is relishing his scrumbase combination with young gun Ezra Mam and believes Brisbane have the mix of youth and experience to open a premiership window.
“Ezra either keeps me young or makes me feel older, I don’t know,” he said with a wry grin.
“We have got such great depth in the squad, a lot of young guys have come through that pathway system.
“Reece Walsh (fullback) is only 20 years old and there’s a lot of babies in the squad that are still learning the game.
“If I can add my two cents and give them some experiences, I am happy to go out there and give them some knowledge.
“I love that teaching part of the game and getting out there with them as well.”
Reynolds has played at the hallowed Sydney Cricket Ground and is primed to terrorise the Dolphins like a 1980s West Indies pace attack at the ‘Gabbatoir’.
“The Heat and Lions have owned this arena for a long time and it will be good to experience something different,” he said.
“Suncorp is our home but this is our second home now.
“I’ve been to cricket games here and there’s always a great buzz here.
“The Gabba is a bit more closed off than the SCG. The atmosphere and noise will be awesome and a sellout will be great for the fans and the city.”
BRONCOS’ WALSH SOS REVEALED, HAMMER’S SHOCK SWITCH
—Travis Meyn
Wayne Bennett will mimic Queensland’s successful Origin strategy and bring Maroons star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow into the frontline in a bid to spark the floundering Dolphins in the second Battle of Brisbane.
‘The Hammer’ will be unleashed at left centre when the Dolphins clash with the Broncos at the Gabba on Saturday night.
On the back of a three-game losing streak, Bennett will unleash his most dangerous team on the busted Broncos.
Brisbane will be without suspended fullback Reece Walsh as well as key forwards Tom Flegler and Jordan Riki, who sustained foot injuries in last Sunday’s disappointing loss to the Titans.
And the Dolphins will look to pounce on a vulnerable Broncos outfit and get revenge after they were beaten 18-12 in a thrilling derby between the new Brisbane NRL rivals in round 4.
While Tabuai-Fidow has been a revelation at fullback for the Dolphins, netting 14 tries in 13 games this season, he is equally as potent at centre.
He has scored three tries in the opening two games of this year’s Origin series at left centre for the Maroons and the Dolphins are hoping ‘The Hammer’ can whack the Broncos.
“Hamiso’s been going unreal at fullback, but with some of our injuries and how the team’s unfolding, Wayne thinks that’s (centre) the best spot for him at the moment,” Dolphins halfback Sean O’Sullivan said.
“Hamiso is really excited no matter where he’s playing. He’s going to do a job for us at the Dolphins. I’m grateful that he is next to me.
“Hamiso brings a unique skill set and his strengths. Not many people in the game have what he brings to the footy team.
“We’re very lucky, but everyone is worried about our own performance and job. Hamiso’s going to worry about himself and the rest of the 17 are worried about what we’re going to bring to the Battle of Brisbane.”
By shifting Tabuai-Fidow to centre, Bennett can start in-form utility Kodi Nikorima at fullback and put first-choice halves Isaiya Katoa and O’Sullivan together for the first time since round 4.
LEGEND’S SON TO REPLACE BANNED BRONCO
Tristan Sailor is set to answer an SOS from Broncos coach Kevin Walters to replace suspended fullback Reece Walsh.
Walsh was found guilty of contrary conduct at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night and handed a three-game suspension.
He will miss Saturday’s Battle of Brisbane derby against the Dolphins at the Gabba, game three of the State of Origin series and the Broncos round 20 match against Canterbury.
The Origin finale is expected to be included in Walsh’s ban given he started at fullback for Queensland in the opening two games of the series.
That will mean Walsh only misses two NRL matches and he is likely to be replaced by Sailor, with Walters to resist shifting Selwyn Cobbo to fullback.
Sailor, 25, had a remarkable club debut for the Broncos in New Zealand last month when he replaced Walsh while he was in Maroons camp.
The Broncos beat the Warriors 26-22, with Sailor producing a number of big plays throughout the game.
Now he is set to receive another call-up as the Broncos look to bounce back from last Sunday’s disappointing loss to the Titans.
The Broncos will also be without forwards Tom Flegler and Jordan Riki, due to foot injuries.
Prop Marty Taupau said it was an opportunity for Brisbane’s fringe players to step up.
“It’s a chance for anyone,” he said.
“Tristan has been playing well in the Q-Cup and we definitely saw a couple of weeks ago with how he conducted himself. He was awesome.
“He is definitely stepping out of his old man’s shoes. He did really well.
“We all believe he will do a good job. He’s done really well. We’ve got some great depth.”
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